Ferns date back to over 380 million years ago. Most of the earliest ferns have since gone extinct, while many of the ones we see today have evolved just in the last 70 million years. Today, ferns are the second-most diverse group of vascular plants behind flowering and we will review the best apartment ferns.
They became popular household plants sometime around the Victorian era in the 1800s, and have lined porches in the southern part of the US for most of the 20th and 21st centuries. Ferns have been seen regularly throughout the last few centuries in decorate art. Their multi-shaped leaves have often been recreated and used in motifs on paintings, sculptures, even decorative plates and cookware. Real leaves are even glued to build three-dimensional art, and used for “spatter-work” as stencils.
Basically, people love ferns. And, if you’re one of those people, then this guide is for you.
Here are ten of the most popular ferns for an apartment, including how to care for them and how easy or difficult each is to maintain.
Note: The difficulty level is on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult. Ferns are listed from least to most difficult to care for.
Fern #1–Lemon Button Fern
Lemon button ferns have small, rounded leaves on thin stems. Though no plant prefers to be neglected, these can withstand quite a bit of it. They are very easy to grow and perfect for beginners and one of the best apartment ferns.
Soil
Lemon button ferns prefer moist, loamy, and well-draining soil with an acidic pH level. Though, standard indoor soil works perfectly fine too.
Water
Don’t allow lemon button ferns to dry out completely. Water at least once a week to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Light
Use indirect light with medium brightness. Lemon button ferns should never be put in direct sunlight, or their leaves can burn.
Upkeep and Maintenance
They prefer warm, humid conditions but adapt well to average household temperatures. If your apartment is dry, especially during the winter, provide humidity by placing it in the bathroom or kitchen or using a small humidifier to help keep it moist.
Care Difficulty: 1 out of 5
Fern #2–Holly Fern
The holly fern, also known as a Japanese holly fern, has holly-like leaves that are sharp-tipped and serrated. These ferns can withstand shade and are typically lower maintenance than many other ferns.
Soil
Holly ferns need a quality lightweight potting mix that drains well.
Water
Keep soil moist but never soggy, or it could cause root rot. Allow the top one inch of soil to dry between watering.
Light
They prefer indirect light that is not too bright.
Upkeep and Maintenance
Holly ferns prefer around 50% humidity. You’ll need to provide more humidity in the winter with a tray of wet pebbles or a humidifier. It’s okay if your holly drops its leaves during the winter, they will grow back in the spring. You also need to groom holly ferns every once in a while, or they will get shaggy and overgrown. They prefer temperatures between 65 to 80 degrees F but can withstand colder temperatures. They can even handle cold drafts.
Care Difficulty: 1 out of 5
Fern #3–Japanese Painted Fern
Japanese painted ferns are colorful and bright. They often have silvery fronds with blue, red, and purple touches. Several cultivators are available and offer different colors and one of the most colorful best apartment ferns.
Soil
Japanese painted ferns prefer loamy, well-draining soil with lots of organic matter.
Water
Keep soil moist but not soggy.
Light
Outside, Japanese painted ferns can withstand a lot of shade, but you need to provide medium and indirect light inside.
Upkeep and Maintenance
The Japanese painted fern does best in temperatures between 55 to 80 degrees F. Humidity levels should stay around 40 to 60 percent. Too much moisture can cause fungal issues and root rot, but they are one of the easiest plants to grow.
Care Difficulty: 1 out of 5
Fern #4–Kangaroo Paw
The kangaroo paw is a native fern of Australia and New Zealand. Its name comes from its resemblance to the shape of kangaroo feet. Expect kangaroo paw ferns under good growing conditions to have bright green and shiny leaves.
Soil
Kangaroo paw ferns like quick-draining, rich soil. A good mix is indoor potting soil with peat moss, coco coir, or leaf mold. The goal is to have a porous growing medium rich in organic matter.
Water
Kangaroo paw ferns need consistent moisture throughout the year. Do not allow them to dry out between waterings, but roots should not sit in water for very long.
Light
Keep light indirect, and moderate.
Upkeep and Maintenance
The temperature should range between 65 and 75 degrees F. Kangaroo paw ferns prefer high humidity.
Care Difficulty: 2 out of 5
Fern #5–Striped Cretan Brake
The striped Cretan brake fern is known for its striped leaves that are bright green around the edges and lighter towards the center. They are low-maintenance and easier to care for than most ferns making them one of the best apartment ferns.
Soil
Striped Cretan brake ferns can tolerate just about any soil, as long as it’s kept moist and drains well.
Water
Water these ferns regularly because they cannot tolerate dryness. Soil should be moist but never soggy. Let the top of the soil dry out between waterings. In the colder months, reduce watering. Use liquid fertilizer every 2 to 4 weeks to feed it.
Light
Striped Cretan brake ferns thrive in subtropical conditions, requiring plenty of sunlight. They are accustomed to growing between and under other plants, so light should be indirect to prevent damage.
Upkeep and Maintenance
Keep temperatures in the typical home range of 60 to 70 degrees F. Striped Cretan brake ferns like high humidity, especially during dryer months. Once the roots fill the pot, you’ll need to transplant them. Be sure not to bury rhizomes too deep into the soil, instead just below the surface. Spring is the best time to transplant. Trim and shape as needed.
Care Difficulty: 2 out of 5
Fern #6–Bird’s Nest
The bird’s nest is another easy fern to care for. It features leather-like fronds that emerge from the center of the plant, creating a nest-like shape. You can expect your fern to ground around 1 to 2 feet tall when growing inside. When grown outside, they can reach up to 6 to 7 feet.
Soil
Peat-based organic potting mix or organic compost is best for the bird’s nest.
Water
Water your bird’s nest just once every 1 to 2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out about halfway down the soil between waterings. When light is brighter, you may need to water slightly more. Water them around the center, never directly into it.
Light
Bird’s nests do best in medium to bright, indirect light. But, they can tolerate low light conditions.
Upkeep and Maintenance
Typically, bird’s nest ferns are very forgiving. They can tolerate average indoor humidity and adapt well to most growing conditions. Though they do prefer high humidity. Temperatures should stay around 65 to 75 degrees F.
Care Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Fern #7–Boston Fern
The Boston fern or the “sword and ladder” fern is as popular today as it was with Victorian gardeners long ago. Often you’ll see these ferns hanging in baskets or cascading down shelves. They are also very effective for removing air pollutants in your home establishing themselves as one of the best apartment ferns.
Soil
Boston ferns prefer quick-draining soil with a pH level of 5.0 to 5.5. They do well in a soil mix of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. You can double pot them since they prefer high humidity, leaving about an inch between the two pots. Line the second pot with damp sphagnum moss, and the water that evaporates will go through the drainage holes of the first to raise humidity levels.
Water
Keep your fern’s soil moist but not soggy. Never allow it to dry out completely, or it will die. During sweltering days, you may need to water twice per day. You may need to mist the fern early in the mornings with distilled or spring water during the winter.
Light
Boston ferns prefer bright, indirect light. Use a bright shade if you need to. Morning sun from an east-facing window works well, but try to keep out of midday or afternoon sun.
Upkeep and Maintenance
Boston ferns can tolerate temperatures between 65 to 95 degrees F. Provide extra humidity, especially during the winter. Keep away from heat and air vents. If you have a bright bathroom, you can keep it there to help with humidity. If your apartment is too dry, the leaves may start to fall out.
Care Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Fern #8–Rabbit’s Foot Fern
Rabbit’s foot ferns make great indoor ferns. They offer elegant and lacy fronds with lush green foliage. Its name comes from the furry rhizomes that creep around the sides of the plant, resembling a rabbit’s foot. They grow up to 2 feet long and are often kept in hanging baskets.
Soil
Regular potting soil with a 50% mix of sand is ideal for these ferns.
Water
Thoroughly water your rabbit’s foot fern weekly. Keep the soil wet but never soggy.
Light
Rabbit’s foot ferns prefer bright, indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight will scorch leaves.
Upkeep and Maintenance
Keep temperatures around 70 degrees F. You may need to feed with an all-purpose fertilizer every other month to help it grow. Repot your rabbit’s foot fern every two years, and you may need to prune and trim it from time to time.
Care Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Fern #9–Staghorn Fern
Staghorn ferns derive their name from the unique way they are typically grown, which is mounted on wood planks and hung vertically. They’re super unique, bright green, and very eye-catching making them one of the best apartment ferns.
Soil
When they are young, staghorn ferns are grown more traditionally in a potting mixture. When they are mature, they should be mounted using lumps of peat, compost, moss, or other organic matter and a wood base.
Water
The biggest issue with staghorn ferns is the way you water them. Instead of pouring water into a pot, you need to remove the fern and its mounting from the wall. Then, soak the base in a sink for 10 to 20 minutes and allow it to drip dry before rehanging. They need this done about once a week during warmer months and every 2 to 3 weeks during cooler months.
Light
Staghorn ferns like consistent, shaded light. They can handle more sunlight, but then they will require more watering. Direct sun can scorch the delicate leaves.
Upkeep and Maintenance
Staghorn ferns love humidity. Use a small humidifier, hang in a bathroom, or spritz the plant periodically.
Care Difficulty: 4 out of 5
Fern #10–Maidenhair Fern
Maidenhair ferns are delicate with small lacey fronds. Typically, they are challenging to keep healthy indoors because they prefer very high humidity and moisture.
Soil
Use moss or organic compost in soil to help it retain water. Pots and soil should be well-draining.
Water
You’ll need to keep their soil consistently moist by providing multiple water sources. The first source should be through watering it regularly, perhaps even daily. The other moisture should come from the humidity in your home or regular spritzing. Still, make sure the soil drains well because soggy soil can cause root rot. If your fern starts to turn yellow, it’s getting too much water.
Light
Provide indirect sunlight only. Direct light causes scorched leaves, but too little light can also cause yellowing.
Upkeep and Maintenance
Maidenhair ferns require very warm, humid air, with temperatures around 70 degrees F. They hate drafts or vents. The bathroom makes an ideal room to keep them in, especially during the winter. Mist the plant with warm water every few days. You can also provide a humidifier or a tray of wet pebbles.
Care Difficulty: 5 out of 5
Regardless of the ferns, you choose to keep in your apartment, keep in mind that since most come from subtropical environments, they prefer high humidity and moist soil conditions. Ferns make amazing, lush green houseplants with brightly colored leaves and rolling foliage when well-cared for.